DESPITE the recent Covid-19 scare, former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong will compete for an Olympic spot at the Diving World Cup in Tokyo on April 18-23.
Malaysia Swimming (MS) secretary-general Mae Chen said the World Cup will serve as the final qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics (on July 23-Aug 8).
“The national diving squad returned with Covid-19 negative test results recently, and they are training diligently for the World Cup in Bukit Jalil,” Mae told Bernama yesterday.
Earlier, Mae confirmed that Jun Hoong, who trains under former national coach Yang Zhuliang, will be part of the World Cup squad.
Jun Hoong made her first competitive return since her knee injury in 2018 at the Malaysia International Online competition last month.
However, it was only a friendly meet to help the divers regain their fitness after having not competed for so long due to Covid-19.
Jun Hoong’s last official outing was at the World Series in May 2018, where she won a bronze in the 10m platform synchro with Pandelela Rinong.
The Ipoh-born is currently observing quarantine after close contact with a Covid-19 positive national wushu exponent recently.
Jun Hoong’s first Covid swab test had returned negative.
She is expected to return to training later this week under Zhuliang.
However, her hopes of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics could be dashed if the World Cup is cancelled as Japan has closed its borders due to Covid-19.
Fina, the world body for aquatics, are expected to decide later this week on whether to hold or cancel the World Cup.
Mae also told Bernama that the national divers have no plans to train in China ahead of the Olympics.
Source: New Straits Times
Photo: generationt.asia
